TAIPEI: A bridge built about 100 years ago during Japanese rule in Taiwan is playing a role in supporting reconstruction after last week’s big earthquake off the island.

The bridge had not been used for a long time when the adjacent bridge collapsed due to the quake, which occurred off the coast of Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, on Wednesday.

The older bridge’s return to use was approved by authorities, which concluded that it can be used on a temporary basis.

According to Taiwanese media reports, the bridge is in a mountainous area of Taroko National Park in the county.

The 10-meter-long bridge was built in 1930 and went out of use in 1971, when the adjacent bridge was completed. On Saturday, it was brought back to use after reinforcement work.

In a Facebook post, Wang Kwo-tsai, Taiwan’s transport minister, welcomed the development.

Rockfalls and mudslides have occurred in parts of the national park, leading to 12 of the 13 deaths caused by the quake. Search operations are underway in the area for six people including two foreigners.

JIJI Press